The team in Chennai had a lovely time in worship this morning. The church in the slum is packed to the edges and people up and down the stairs. The prayer and worship are oassionate and tuneful. There is both a hunger for God and a deep gratitude that the oppression of Hinduisms many spirits and curses have been lifted off their backs. Tears flow and we just get caught up in it... even without understanding the words.

Sharon spoke, with Kevin translating. Debra lead the worship. Then so many people longing to be prayed for.

All the children have now been interviewed. We have spent quality time with each one and with a parent or guardian. Some great stories of whole families' destinies turned round. Others.... just tragic!

Today we have been sorting out the money and making sure every penny people give for the work of SKM is getting to where it should, and then taking more from other funds to supplement. Everything they do here is fantastic and so essential.

The team continued in Chennai today. It was great in the breaks just enjoying Kevin & Deborah's friendship.

The interview process was harder. The children are lovely. But so many of their stories don't fits with their lovely smiles. It seems amazing that people can treat each other in the ways described today

Sharon, Catherine, Sam and Elsbeth left on Monday for a week with Kevin, Deborah and the church in Chennai. Today, after 5+ hours of jetlag, they visited the slum and started interviewing each of the sponsored children. More news here as we get it.

Miriam and Dinger were in the jungle over Christmas, during which time they ministered to many needy families.  Their children put on plays for the children and distributed clothes and presents donated by people back in Lima.

On one occasion they had prepared a big pan of hot chocolate for the children, expecting about 50-70 to turn up.  Instead around 200 did and they wondered what they should do as they didn’t have enough.  They prayed and then went ahead serving the cups of drink.  At the end, everyone had had some, God had answered their prayers and miraculously made it stretch so that nobody went without!

Earthquake strikes Haiti

Thousands of people in Haiti are tonight facing the fourth night of their earthquake nightmare.

A massive tremor south of the capital Port-au-Prince devastated countless homes and buildings, leaving many homeless.

Tearfund is responding and helping the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. We've sent funds so our partners on the ground can help survivors cope with the immediate aftermath.

These partners, many of whom work closely with local churches, are carrying out assessments to see where the need is greatest but it is already clear that providing shelter is a priority.

Matthew Frost, Tearfund's Chief Executive, said, 'Please support our partners in prayer, as they themselves face the immense scale of disaster, the trauma, the destruction and loss of life that this earthquake has brought. You can find out more about our work in Haiti and give to our appeal at www.tearfund.org/Haiti

Haiti's death toll is expected to rise into the thousands after the quake measuring seven on the Richter scale struck the impoverished Caribbean country on Tuesday.

Rescue efforts to dig people from the rubble of smashed homes, shops and offices have been hampered by blocked roads, power cuts, disrupted communications and a lack of equipment.

Jennie Evans, Tearfund's Head of Region for Latin America and the Caribbean, said, 'With so many buildings destroyed and so many people made homeless, the need for shelter and basic essentials such as food and water is extremely urgent.'

The UN has an 11,000-strong peacekeeping force in Haiti which is gathering information about the extent of the devastation.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, 'My heart goes out to the people of Haiti after this devastating earthquake. At this time of tragedy, I am very concerned for the people of Haiti and also for the many United Nations staff who serve there.'.
•    Pray for the people of Haiti as they deal with the aftermath of the earthquake, ask the Lord to comfort those who are injured and mourning.
•    Pray for rescue efforts to find survivors trapped in destroyed buildings and for communication links and power supplies to be restored quickly.
•    Pray for a swift and generous response from the international community to help this disaster-prone poor country.
•    Pray for the safety and protection of Country Representative for Haiti; Jean-Claude Cerin and his family, as well as our partners who are based in Haiti, that they will be able to respond as effectively as possible.
•    For the Needs Assessment team as they travel out to Haiti, for their safety and protection and for wisdom in the initial assessments and decisions that they are undertaking.
•    For both Tearfund’s and the DEC’s appeals for Haiti, that our supporters and the general public will be generous in responding to this disaster.
•    For the UK based support teams as they work together to establish an effective response to this crisis on the ground.
To download a prayer PowerPoint about Haiti visit www.tearfund.org/haitiprayer

 The prison Christmas fellowship day on the 23rd went well and the children's Christmas party on the 24th also went well. Miriam and family are currently in the jungle for 2 weeks taking clothes and toys to poor families and performing sketches etc... in outreach particularly to young people.